Technology Briefing | Software: Microsoft Executive Will Retire

Microsoft said yesterday that Deborah Willingham, the senior vice president for human resources and the company's highest-ranking woman, would retire in February to pursue personal interests. The company is interviewing replacements for Ms. Willingham, 46, according to a spokeswoman, Stacy Drake. Ms. Willingham, who has been at Microsoft for almost a decade, previously ran the marketing for the Windows operating system and led the unit that sells Microsoft products to large customers. Microsoft has been short of senior managers for its operations units like human resources since the former president and chief operating officer, Rick Belluzzo, quit in May, leaving departments like human resources and finance reporting to the chief executive, Steve Ballmer. Ms. Willingham intends to travel, engage in charity work and seek positions on corporate boards. She was not immediately available to comment.